Switch.



c. HUPPMAN.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED .TULY 23, 1910.

CLAUD HUIEFMAN, F VERSAILLES, MISSOURI.

SWITCH.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

Application led July 23, 1910. Serial No. 573,648.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, CLAUD HUFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Morgan and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements Iin Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches andxmore particularly to knife switches for telephone use.

The object of the invention is the provision of a simple, cheaply constructed and efficient knife switch which when thrown to inoperative position for the main line `will practically constitute a lightning arrester.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a knife switch having a novel form of construction and support which effectively insulates the separate terminals of the switch and elevates the same from the base plate.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the alternative position of the switch. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 1 represents the base plate which has mounted thereon the bracket supports 2 and 3 both of which are provided at their upper ends with circular heads through which passes the terminal supporting member 4. This member preferably consists of a cylindrical tube of glass or other similar insulating material and is clamped within the supporting members 2 and 3 by set screws 5 and is cushioned from the supporting members 2 and 8 by a rubber strip 6 which also further insulates these parts. Mounted upon the tube 4 intermediate the supports 2 and 3 is a switch blade pivoting member 7 which comprises a band of material extending around the tube and clamped thereto by a binding post 8 and insulated by a cushioning` strip 9. The parallel ends are eX- tended on opposite sides of the switch blade 10 which is pivoted therebetween by a bolt 11. The terminal contacts 12 and 13 are held upon the opposite ends of the tube by binding screws 14 in a similar manner to the member 7 and have connected thereto the main line and ground lines respectively, the telephone wire being connected to the binding post 8.

One end of the switch blade 10 has projecting therefrom a button 15 upon which is mounted an operating rod 16 by which the switch blade may be thrown into engagementwith either terminal contact 13 or 14. Then the switch lever is in engage ment'with the contact 18 and the telephone disconnected from the main line and grounded, an excessive arc between the contact 12 and the respective end of the switch blade will be conducted directly to the ground without injuring the telephone.

it will be noticed that the construction of the terminal contacts is such that they may be adjusted at right angles to the supporting members so as to adapt the switch for mounting upon the jamb of a window or door in the manner of the old type of side wall switch.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is In a switch, the combination with a base, of supports thereon, a` tubular insulating member mounted in the supports, terminal contacts mounted upon the ends of the tubular insulating member, terminal binding posts securing said contacts upon the insulating member, a switch blade mounting carried intermediate the contacts, a terminal binding post for securing said mounting in position upon the insulating member, a switch blade pivoted to said mounting, and means for throwing said switch blade into engagement with either of the contacts.

1n testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLAUD HUFFMAN.

Witnesses H. E. NEVILLE, W. H. GLNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of iatents, Washington, D. C. 

